LSU Football: Linebackers coach option for the Tigers

LSU football officially hired a new defensive coordinator on Tuesday.

The Tigers were able to close the deal with Daronte Jones, who was previously serving as the Minnesota Vikings’ defensive backs coach.

Jones, who will replace Bo Pelini, comes to Baton Rouge on the recommendation of former LSU defensive coordinator Dave Aranda.

Now that Ed Orgeron has his defensive coordinator in place, he can focus on filling out the rest of his defensive staff.

LSU Football still has a couple of spots left to fill

Jones will likely coach safeties, while Corey Raymond coaches cornerbacks.

That means that LSU still needs a defensive line coach and a linebackers coach.

When it comes to linebackers, I think the Tigers would be wise to give Miami defensive coordinator Blake Baker a call.

Now, I know what you’re thinking — why would a defensive coordinator leave a Power-5 school to become a position coach at LSU?

It’s definitely a long shot. But I think the Tigers could have a shot here.

Baker was recently stripped of play-calling duties at Miami, which makes his “defensive coordinator” title….well just a title.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Baker, who is from Houston, would like a fresh start somewhere.

Obviously, LSU would have to pay a decent amount of cash for Baker — he’s making around $700,000 at Miami. I can’t imagine that he’d want to take a pay cut to leave the U.

But if the Tigers want to put the best defensive staff possible together, then they should pony up the cash and match Baker’s current salary (or go a little over) to get a stud linebackers coach.

Linebacker is one of the most important positions on the field. This isn’t a spot where LSU needs to go cheap. They need to spend the money and knock this hire out of the park.